A SINGLE has been released by a community choir in memory of MP Jo Cox.

Batley Community Choir has released its version of Bette Midler’s The Rose.

The proceeds will be donated to the Jo Cox Fund, which was set up in memory of the Batley and Spen Labour MP, who died after she was shot and stabbed in Birstall on June 16.

The community choir’s musical director, Gary Skyrme, said: “The Rose is such a fitting song – it’s about love and hope – and Jo, who was our own Yorkshire Rose, epitomised those values.”

Following Mrs Cox’s death the choir was contacted by Channel 4’s The Last Leg show and asked to sing in tribute. Its live performance of The Rose was broadcast from All Saints Church, Batley.

Choir soprano and treasurer Karen Rayner saidd: "We got the request at 8.30am and couldn’t say no.

"We wanted to honour Jo’s memory, and the reaction we’ve had from people all over the UK tells us we did just that. Some viewers suggested a charity version of the song, and so now we’ve made it a reality."

The choir was later contacted by the organisers of the More in Common event on Wednesday, June 22, which would have been Mrs Cox’s birthday, and sang The Rose once more.

The choir’s founder member Graeme Rayner introduced the choir, and asked the people of Batley to help, saying: ‘Jo never got to hear us sing, let’s make sure she hears us now.’

The performance ended with more than 2,000 people in Batley’s Market Square singing the final verse together. At the end of the performance, the choir announced its plans to release The Rose in aid of the Jo Cox Fund.

Mr Skyrme said: "We spoke with her [Mrs Cox's] sister, Kim Leadbetter, and her parents and they gave us their blessing to honour Jo’s memory in this way."

Ms Leadbeater said: "On behalf of Jo's family I would like to say a big thank you to Batley Community Choir for producing this beautiful single in her memory.

"Jo loved to sing, although she didn't always remember the words, and she loved the people of Batley and Spen, so it is a fitting tribute, which I know she would have thought was the perfect choice."

The single is a brand new arrangement of The Rose produced and recorded by Mr Skyrme and features more than 200 people from the Batley area and beyond, including local community groups and organisations with which the MP had links.

They all join with the choir in a moving final verse, recreating the atmosphere at the memorial event held in the centre of Batley on her birthday.

A video was made on the same day as the recording, produced by London-based film company Evolutionary Films, who donated their time and services free of charge.

Founder choir member Graeme Rayner, who coordinated the project, said: "It has been overwhelming to witness how readily people have given up their time and effort.

"We have had a music video put together by professional filmmakers, the artwork has been created by international marketing agency Feref, and over 200 people came together and gave up their time, including Jo’s colleague Paula Sheriff, MP, from the neighbouring constituency of Dewsbury, which shows just how much Jo was loved. It’s truly amazing."

The single is available now for just 99p via digital download from Amazon, iTunes, Google Play and most digital download services.

A limited edition CD, priced at £1.99, is available to order from the choir’s website www.batleysings.org/therose.

The cost of producing the CD has been covered by a donation from Creative Scene, which means every penny raised goes to the Jo Cox Fund.

The video will be available to view on YouTube: search Batley Community Choir.